Looking for Kirituhi

I'm looking to get in contact with a Ta Moko artisian for some commissioned Kirituhi work. This is a personal quest which is sparked by the grieving of a loved one. I desperately want to work with someone soon, as I don't think I will get to Aotearoa (New Zealand) for a few years. Anyone who can help will be a great help. PM or post, please.

check out www.tamoko.com.au CAN SOMEONE NON-MAORI GET A MAORI DESIGN? WILL MAORI BE OFFENDED IF A PAKEHA HAS A MAORI DESIGN/TATTOO? Sometimes it is useful to view Maori tattoo designs as a kind of language. In this context, then, a true statement can be said about you in a language that is not your own. If I were to say that 'you have a mother and father' in (for example) German, the statement is still true whether you are German or not. Within Moko-style designs there are universal themes concerning nature, spirituality and humanity. There are, however, certain subjects that cannot be covered and certain traditional designs that would also not be appropriate for non-Maori. If a pattern is devised FOR YOU, ABOUT YOU, then it cannot be anything but appropriate. However, IF THE DESIGN HAS BEEN COPIED, then you are wearing someone else's design, story, family, expressions etc ... THIS COULD CERTAINLY OFFEND!!!!!!! (Maori, the wearer and their family!) Concerning offensiveness to Maori, over non-Maori wearing a Maori tattoo, if it is done in the correct way I see no cause for alarm, however, there will always be some, that think Maori designs are for Maori people only. I think that generally, people who are offended by a Pakeha wearing a Maori style tattoo do not understand what the design is expressing! To me, I am happy that people, regardless of their descent and genealogy have respect and admiration of Maori art, so much so, as to wish to wear such a beautiful piece for the rest of their lives! In any case, whatever your opinion, it certainly beats the way some Europeans used to collect Moko in the early colonial times!!!

Karen, Thanks. Yeah I have seen that website before. I was impressed by his work, and respected his take on the art. Though, I still am looking for an artist who will be in North America (preffered), or will send me the image to be later applied (less prefferred). Still looking...

Hi Karen i especially like this artists work, ive been looking for a kirituhi for some time, but living in the uk its quote a problem, do you know any artists that would design a piece and post it to me, im after a shoulder piece that merges into my chest

Actually, it is considered very offensive to wear a Maori design of any sort. These ancient designs are the property - spiritually and intellectually - of the tribes in which they have developed. A pakeha (white) perspective is that they can be worn in a 'respectful' way but there is no respectful way to steal the cultural identity of another. All the designs and swirls are deeply meaningful to Maori culture. They are related to genealogy (whakapapa) and thus are meaningless to those not of Maori blood. They relate often to specific families. Would you tattoo a portrait of anothers family onto your body? Think twice. You can admire this beautiful tradition without partaking of it.

My Husband is Maori and I am of european background. My children are half Maori, and I have embraced the Maori culture as if it were my own. I have my husband, my journey and children tattooed on my back, yet, I am NOT of Maori blood, but a Pakeha. Is this wrong? Can I not consider this now a part of who I am? Maori's that shun apon people getting these tattoo's are the ones who think that their culture is one to be left isolated and alone, as if people are trying to steal it, which is wrong. If a person was to walk into a studio, and explain their history and get their OWN Ta Moko designed, there should be nothing wrong with that. A copy of someone else's is WRONG and that should be explained to the person by the tattooist. A Kirituhi- Skin Art, is different, as it only is what is says it is "skin art".

I am looking to get a Ta Moko style Tattoo and in dioing research I have found the Kirituhi style for non maori's,I think the Maori culture is very beautiful and spiritual,i have a friend who is from New Zealand and introduced me to his culture.I would like to have a piece designed for me but I don't really know if it is appropriate me being a non Maori,I am adopted and don't know the nationality of my birth parents how would I contact an artist to design a piece and would it be something that can be done not face to face if anyone has any input it would be much appreciated..Thank You

I am looking to get a Ta Moko style Tattoo and in dioing research I have found the Kirituhi style for non maori's,I think the Maori culture is very beautiful and spiritual,i have a friend who is from New Zealand and introduced me to his culture.I would like to have a piece designed for me but I don't really know if it is appropriate me being a non Maori,I am adopted and don't know the nationality of my birth parents how would I contact an artist to design a piece and would it be something that can be done not face to face if anyone has any input it would be much appreciated..Thank You

Hi, Yvette.. if the 'design' on your back is kirituhi then that is fine.. but if the artist said it's Moko, then he's wrong and it isn't considered a Moko..just a tattoo and even if you are married to a Maori, and have half-Maori kids, that doesnt mean you can have a Traditional Moko.

Kia Ora My name is Inia Hohua, I am a Maori form the tribes of Tainui and Taranaki... I do Kirituhi if you would like an original one. Im not sure if this request is still going seeing it was posted last year and all.... But if you want to you can contatc me on [email removed] Forget people saying only maori can wear maori stuff... If the fellas whos drawing the Kirituhi knows he's stuff then sos beit... How else is maori whakairo or moko meant to develop itself. If people want to be so tradiotional and complain about non maori wearing moko, then they should complain about moko being advertised on tv, computers, maori art in the digital age... Maori Whakairo didnt start on wood! and when it was placed on wood people back in the day complained then???? Whakairo/ Moko was never even meant to be shown off in the first place, it was a private thing, but times have chnaged and moved on..... so to must maori people and all there gifts... I would love to do you a kirituhi... Holla Naku Noa Inia Hohua

I have found a web site if you are looking for KIRITUHI tattoo designs, www.tamokofightwear.com This guy specializes and produces 100% one off originals for every client and the quality is awesome. I have emailed him and he produces artwork direct via email as he is mainly based in the UK. He does travel to Canada and Milan (Italy) too. He seams a very cool guy and will answer any question. Just thought I'd pass it on...

there is a thread listing a website where all maori tattoo artists can register themselves and i think they are based in new york. the title of the thread involved the following words "taa moko" with 2 "a"s instead of 1.

forgot to mention two very impressive websites i found, they are both based in NZ but may be able to help you with designs: www.mokoink.com www.mokoira.com

Check out this new website...... www.hetohuotewa.com

Hey bro! What you need to do is get in contact with a Maori tattoo artist who will design you your very own kirituhi and send it through to you on email. What you are wanting is Maori tattoo art or a maori design. Kirituhi is just a maori word for skin art and most people around the world dont know what kirituhi means. Forget about going to a tattooist he will only give you one of those maori inspired fakes that mean nothing. check out www.kirituhi.maori.nz or www.tikitat.com Superdude!

this guy inia that calls himself a ta-moko artist is not to be taken seriously i would not recommend getting a tattoo of any sort from this person as he works out of his kitchen we have received many complaints about this guy and we are in the process of hunting him down to provide him with a 24,000 dollar fine for tattooing without a licence and also 26.000 dollars for working from an unlicenced premise then we will be informing the tax department of his actions i cannot stress strongly enough that the health of your family and indeed you should not be taken lightly australia has strict guidelines that any licenced tattoo artist working from a shop will abide by do not under any circumstances let these fools infect your body! go to a professional studio,if you should contract an infection and end up with hep,aids,etc and a plethera of other deceases they will be with you for life which will be both expensive and painfull and legally you won't have a leg to stand on! his tattoos if you can call them that are terrible at best and his tattoos look like they have been drawn by a child this guy is not educated in sterilization and holds no certs we have checked,he is what tattoo artists call a back yarder using cheap crap to make cheap and horrible tattoos we have been contacted by more than a few tattoo studios around brisbane stating that they have had some very irate people in there studios expecting them to fix some of these tattoos and the blatently refuse saying that they are just too rough for a professional to put there name too so be warned

I find it interesting that a posting from Australia is trying to track him down as he lives and opperates in Auckland. My mate and a few others I know have had kirituhi done by Inia, and granted he does have his own style, just as any tattooist does, but trust me, it wasn't done in a kitchen. Bernie Shaw did mine at Inia's and it was a truely powerful experience, and very very clean. If anyone is ever getting a tattoo, they should personally check the gear is clean, or more fool you. Do your research! And for those worried about being Maori or not and the right to wear kirituhi, I'm with Inia. I do my research, be respectful and understand what the process is. There will be people that don't agree, and that is fine. I have Japanese inspired tattoo as well, but I understand the significance of it. I'm not trying to claim another culture, it's because of its meaning to me. We are a massive melting pot of culture, and nothing is more important than to understand and respect eachother. If your just doing it because it looks cool, then maybe you should think about not getting it done at all.

Hey dude the best thing to do is to get a design from New Zealand and then get it inked in your own country. Check out tiki obrien on google. He is a Maori artist designer who could help you out. Good luck cause he is in demand. Jans

Hey I think the maori are assholes for trying to claim an art style for their own even if it is their herritage my herritage is to eat turkey t thanksgiving and im not telling anyone elses race that they cant. obviously anyone who thinks like that is part ape and should be living in the jungle tattooing with there own feces anyway

Beware of Tiki O'Brien, cheated me, took my money and I never got my design